The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed false claims that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, discussed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal over the phone with President Bola Tinubu and the Director General of the Department of State Services.
The Supreme Court warned that if the current tendency of deception and slander continues, Nigeria may fail to accomplish the required progress.
Dr. Festus Akande, the Supreme Court's Director of Press and Information, clarified the situation in a statement headed "No telephone conversations between CJN and anyone concerning the Presidential Election Petition."
"In view of the rumour currently circulating in the social media space that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had a telephone conversation with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Director General of the Department of State Service in order to pressurise the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the likely judgement to give, it is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative,"
"With admirable zeal, Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal." So, rather than relapsing into the realm of conjecture and rumour peddling, it is advised that we all maintain the tempo and follow it all the way to the end. If the current tendency of deception and slander continues, our country may fail to make the necessary progress.
"The Courts are statutorily mandated to serve the best interests of the people, and we are always ready to do so to the best of our abilities." We would like to appeal to everyone to work with the judiciary in order for it to serve the country to the best of its ability, as no one will ever be favoured over the other in any way, as no one will ever be favoured against the other in any dispute.
"The rule of law and the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every case that comes before the courts; as the facts presented and the applicable laws must be applied in determining the merit or otherwise of each case." The public should have confidence that all disputes pending in various courts across the country will be resolved fairly, regardless of who is involved."